Magazine for the storage of articles



May 27, 1958 s. L. cHlLDERs 2,836,326

MAGAZINE FOR THE STORAGE OF ARTICLES Filed Feb. 21, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l /19 Ii 06 Il 60 s am.

).sPE/vcsfa L. cH/oE/es 7 INVENTOR HuEaA/ER, BEEHLER,

wo/PREL s HERZ/a AT/oR/vgm- May 27, 1958 s. 1 cl-uLDx-:Rs 2,836,326

MAGAZINE FOR THE STORAGE OF' ARTICLES Filed Feb. 2l 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .'5 03 LSPg/gse 1 cH/LDERS 43 INVENTOR HuEs/VER, @51m/LwJ 55796 g4] woRREL a HERZ/6 ATTORNEYS www May 27, 1958 s. l.. CHILDERS MAGAZINE FOR THE STORAGE OF ARTICLES Filed Feb. 2l, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 SPENCER L. CH/LDEPS United States Patent@ MAGAzrNE non THE s'roRAGE oF ARTICLES Spencer L. Childers, Fresno, Calif., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to The Vendo Company, Kain sas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application February 21, 1955, Serial No. 489,319

6 Claims. (Cl. 221-6'7) The present invention relates to magazines for the storage of articles of substantially uniform size and shape and more particularly to such magazines in which articles are releasably retained in vertically staggered overlapping stacks in the manner typified by the vending machine of the patent to Hoffman No. 1,205,094 and to a somewhat lesser extent by the dispensing machine of the patent to Hoopes et al. 1,711,621. While the storage of vendible articles in such interlaced or interlocked stacks has been well known, magazines suited to such storage have not heretofore been able to accommodate articles of apprecably different size or shape from that originally contemplated without complete reconstruction.

While the present invention is in no sense limited to application to bottle vending machines nor even to vending machines, it was developed as a solution to problems encountered in the vending of refrigerated bottle beverages and is conveniently illustrated in connection with such machines.

The present application is a further development of the invention comprising the subject matter of a co-pending patent application of the applicant and Lawrence C. Tober, tiled November 1, 1954 and designated by Serial No. 465,779. ln that application, the importance of providing a compact, comparatively shallow vending machine to enable its convenient positioning in busy, crowded and/or congested areas is pointed out. The vending machine described in that application provides generally for supporting pairs cf columns of vendable bottles in vertical, staggered relation with the bottles in adjacent columns being in overlapping supporting relation to superadjacent bottles in opposite columns. ln addition, oscillatable rockers are provided beneath the pairs of columns for supporting the columns and for sequentially releasing the bottles for discharge incident to customer manipulation of a coin conditioned vending mechanism.

Although the above briefly described construction has been found highly effective in handling bottles and the like of predetermined size, it is not adaptable to diierent sizes and shapes without reconstruction.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a storage magazine for articles of substantially uniform size and shape which is adjustable to accommodate various sizes and shapes of such articles.

Another object is to provide an improved adjustable mechanism for controlled retention and. dependable dispensin of articles arranged in vertically staggered overlapped stacks.

Another object is to provide a vending machine adjustable accommodate vendable articles of varying sizes.

Another object is to provide a vending machine of minimum iront to back depth so as to make possible its location in restricted areas and passages heretofore regarded as unable to accommodate vending machines and which is adapted for modification to accommodate a ICC multiplicity of substantially uniform sizes and shapes of articles.

Another object is to provide a vending machine having a magazine for containing articles to be vended which is adjustable in length and/ or width.'

Another object is to provide a vending machine having upright compartment adapted to support vendable articles which has a downwardly constricted lower end portion adjustable as to degree of downward constriction.

Another object is to provide a vending machine in y which articles to be vended are supported in vertically stacked relation, in which are provided rockable cradles adapted to support and sequentially to release the articles, and in which the cradles are adjustable to accommodate a variety of article sizes.

Other objects are to provide an improved magazine for bottle vending machines and the like which is compact and dependable in nature, which minimizes bottle damage and jarring, which is quickly and conveniently loaded, which is economical to produce and operate, and which is highly etlective for accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects will become more fully apparent upon reference to the following description.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a fragmentary front elevation of a vendingl machine embodying the principles of the present invention having a forwardly disposed access door of the vending machine removed for illustrative convenience.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l but with the access door in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged horizontal section taken on line 4 -4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a somewhat enlarged vertical section taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3 with portions broken away for illustrative convenience.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 5 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a somewhat. enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of a portion of the vending machine as viewed the rear of Fig. 3 or the top of Fig. 4Q

Fig. S is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary front elevation of a structural detail of the present invention.

9 is a section taken on line 9 9 of Fig. S.

Referring more particularly to the drawings:

As illustrative environment for the magazine of the present invention, a vending machine 1li is shownin Figs. l and 2 having an insulated cabinet 11 defining a refrigerated compartment 12 to which access is gained through an opening 1 3. The cabinet includes insulated side walls 14S, a rear wall 15, and a top wall lo. The cabinet provides a lower portion 17 wherein is mounted a refrigerating or heat exchanging unit, not shown, which is adapted to cool the interior of the cabinet. Brackets 18 `are attached to, and are inwardly extended from, the side walls of the cabinet adjacent to the back thereof for mounting purposes to be described subsequently in greater detail.

An insulated door l is mounted on the cabinet 1i by hinges 20 for movement between opened and closed positions relative to the accessv opening 13. A seal 21 is provided between theA door and front edges' of the side walls 13 in the usual manner to exclude warm air externally of the cabinet and to retain refrigerated air therein.

The door has an insulated wall 22 and an outer sheetmetal wall 23 defining a space 24 intermediate said walls.

An auxiliary door 25 for the space 24 is mountedby i tion of the rear plate.

door provides a recess V27 rearwardly eirtended from theV Y Y front surface thereof. part of therpresent invention, a coin responsive mechanism 2S is mounted in the space 24 within the doore19V Yand is in coin receiving relation to a coin slot, not'shown,

accessible from exteriorly of the machine. As is the Y Vusualoperation, the coin mechanism renders the vending machine operable upon receipt of a coin or coins of predetermined acceptable denomination.

Although theforegoingrrepresents a convenient operative environment for the present invention, such environment is notrto be considered as limiting the use of the present invention but only to exemplify such use.

Referring more particularly to Figs.. 3 to 7, inclusive,

but with continued reference to Figs. Yl and 2, a support frame 30 is mounted onthe brackets 18 in a manner to be described and includes a lower Ychassis 31 and a removable top 32' adapted for attachment to the chassis; Thertop provides a plurality of transverse partition walls 33 disposed in horizontally spaced parallel relation to eachother and to the side :walls 14. For descriptive convenience, the partition walls hereinafter will be referred to in relation to their location in the support frame,V

that is, outer, inner and innermost partition Walls. Each of the Vpartiton walls has front and rear intnrned flanges 34 and is provided with anupwardly elongated cut-out opening or. slot 35, as best seen in Fig. 5.. Front and rear elongated substantially horizontal braces 36 and 37 arerattached along the front and rear anges of the partition walls, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in order to maintain such Walls in fixed transverse relation. Y

Y The chassis 31 includes a lower rear plate V40`providing a lower section 41, a rearwardly perpendicular horizontal Although forming no essentialV vvide substantially horizontal pivot axes parallel to thethat the spacer channels situated between compartmentsV Y 55 and 56 and'compartments 57 and 58 have latch bores both above and below the threaded bore. channelsroutwardly of the compartmentsV 55 and 58 and.

. inwardly of the compartments 55 and V57 havp Vlatch open- .Y

. kbe described is thersame on both sides vof the centralV space 60, only Vthe structure associated with the comparb.

mentsr55 and 56, illustrated inFigs.. 3i and 4, will be referred to in detail.

Journal pins 70 extend perpendicularly'through the spacer channels 65 adjacent to the top thereof and` propartition walls 33. Mounting arms 71 are journaled on the pivot pins on opposite sides ofthe compartment 56 and pairs of side panels or gates 72 are rigidly secured individually on'pairs of such arms for swinging movement inwardly and outwardly of such compartment. The mounting arms provide latch plates 73 extended perpendicularly therefrom and from the panels outwardly of compartment 56 and define notches 74 adjacent to the latch plates. Each latch plate has a plurality of latch openings 75 arranged instaggered rows Vtherein'and adapted for alignment with the latch openings 67 in the spacer channels upon movement of the mountingrarms Y inwardly and foutwardly. relative to the compartment 56.

ledge 42and an upper section 43. The chassis furtherV includes a front plate 44 having the same height as, andv being in substantially parallel relation to, the lower sec- A pair of side plates 45 interconnect'the rear and front plates.

The chassisY 31 and the top 32 are releasably mounted in the cabinet 11 on` the brackets 18, as above stated. For this purpose, as shown in Figs. l and 2, angle bars areprovided on the side plates 45 of the chassis in overlaying relation to the brackets 18 and are secured to their respective brackets by bolts 51V passed therethrough and screW-threadably engaged in their respective brackets. Thus, the entire support Yframe is connected or disconnected from the cabinet merely bythe attachment or release of bolts 51. A total offour are normally employed. The chassisr31 provides a plurality of transverse partition plates 55 intermediate and parallel to the side plates 45. By reference to Figs. 3 and 5, it will be noted that when the top 32 is placed in position on the chassis, the rear brace 37 is in spaced overlying'relation to the'lower rear plate 40, the outer partition walls 33 are in coplanar V relation with the side plate 45 and the inner partition walls 33 are in coplanar relation with the partition plates 55. In this manner, a plurality of compartments 56, 57, 58 and 59. and a central space 60 are defined between the spaced partitions of the support frame 30 and constitute Y the magazine or magazines of the vending machines. The

chassis also provides a plurality of arcuate kidney-shaped slots 61 individually disposed in the lower section 4.1 of the rear plate 40 beneath each of thecompartments for a purpose soon to be described.

A plurality'of U-shaped spacer channel members 65 are rigidlysecured outwardly on the outer partition walls 33, between the inner partition walls and inwardly on the innermost partition walls, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 4. It is to be noted that the spacer channel members are in upright substantially vertical position and preferably, are provided in spaced face-to-face paired relationin the positions indicated. As indicated in Fig. 9, however, each Y spacer channel is provided with a threaded bore 66 and a plurality of staggered smooth latch bores 67 above and/ or below the threaded bore. In this'regard, it is to be noted It is to be noted that the latch plates on the mounting arms' at the Vright of compartment 56, when viewed from the front, are adjacent to the latch openings 67 above the threaded bores 66 in the respective channels.

Mounting arms and 81 are pivotally connected on' journal pins 70 on opposite sides ofthe compartment 57 and likewise mount side panels 82 for inward and outward-pivoting movement relative to such compartment. The mounting arms 86 also provide latch plates 33 having a plurality of smooth 'latch openings 84 therein adapted for registration with the latch openings67 in the respective spacer channels below the threaded bores 66 therein.- The mounting arms 80 denne enlarged notches 85 therein. adapted to receive the latch plates 73 in the adjacent mounting arms 71 when both of the mounting arms 71 and 80 are in outward position. This relationship is best seen in Figs. l and 8. Y Y

The mounting arms 81 are of the same length as arms 52 and also'provide latch plates 89 having a plurality of latch openings 90 therein adapted for registration with the latch openings 67 in the adjacent spacer channels 65. ln addition, each of thearms 81 defines a notch 91 vadjacent to thelatch plate thereof;

A plurality of Vlatch bolts Vare provided for slidable f insertion through selected latch openings 75, 84 and 90 in the latch plates 73, 83 and 84,7respectively, and selected latch openings 67 in the spacer channels 65. Single retainer plates 96 provide ends pivotally connected to the spacer channels outwardly of the compartmentsv 5,6V

and 57 adjacent to the latch openings therein by retainer bolts 97 extended therethrough and Vthreadably` received yin the respective threaded hole 66. The retainer plates l are adapted to lit over the lat-ch plates 73 `andr89rand provide anges -98 on opposite ends thereof bearing against the spacer channels. er plates hold the latch bolts in position in the latch openings.

Dual retainer plates 109 are provided for the spacer channels 65 intermediate .the compartments 56 and V57 and are pivotally connected intermediate their ends to such spacer channels by threaded retainer bolts 101 received therethroughr and threadably received in the threaded holes 66 in such spacer channels. The dual re-` The spacerY In this manner, the retain-V t-ainer plates embrace the latchv plates 73 on arms 71 -at the right of compartment 56 and latch plates 83 on 4arms d@ so as to hold the latch bolts 95 provided therefor in the respective latch openings 75, 84 and 67. In addition, the dual retainer plates provide end flanges adapted to Vbear against the spacer channels 65 for maintaining the plates in proper spaced relation to the channels.

This arrangement has the Vadvantage that only one threaded hole, as 56, need Vbe provided in the spacer channels 65 rather than threading each of the latch openings 67. Further, the described construction provides for a more speedy adjustment of the mounting arms 71, Si) and 81 inasmuch as there are fewer bolts requiring threading manipulation. Also, the number of `bolts to be matched with threaded holes is minimized. From the foregoing, it will be understood that by adjustment of the position `of the mounting arms on the spacer channels, the distance between the panels 72 and 32 on opposite 'sides of the compartments 55 and 57 may 1be varied.

The partition `walls 33 are also provided with upper and llower rear cut-out portions 105 and N6, as best seen in Fig. 5. The upper cut-out portions deiine upper edges 1&7 -having transversely and horizontally aligned notches 195. Likewise, lthe lower cut-out portions have lower edges 169 with transversely and horizontally aligned notches 11i).

A plurality of rear adjustable walls 115 are provided `individually for the compartments 56 and 57. Each of the adjustable walls has a pair of upper laterally extended supp-ort tabs lle and a pair of'lower laterally extended support tabs 117. The rear adjustable walls are adapted to be mounted transversely intermediate the partiti'on walls 33 with the upper tabs rested in correspondingly aligned upper notches S and the lower tabs rested yin correspondingly aligned lower notches "110. By selection of the proper notches in these edges, the adjustable walls may be moved forwardly 'and rearwardly in the compartments, thus shortening or lengthening the compartments, as desired. Each 'of the adjustable rear walls is provided forwardly thereon with a vertically extended guide channel llS centrally positioned between the partition walls and having a pair of forwardly extended `sides or flanges 119.

As stated before, the construction of the support Vframe 3i) adjacent to compartments 57 and 5S is Videntical to that above described in regard to compartment-s 55 'and 56. Thus, laterally adjustable side panels or gates 72 and d2 and longitudinally adjustable rear walls 115 are shown adjacent to compartments 57 and 58 in Fig. l. The basic obje-ct of this construction is, of course, to enable adjustment of the length and Vwidth of the cornpartm'ent.

A 'pair of delivery chutes 176 each having a pair of transverse U-shaped rods 171 and 172 providing outwardly extended hangers 173 are individually mounted beneath the pairs of `adjacent compartments 56, 57, 58 and 59 respectively. vThe rearwardmost 'rod llil is substantially straight through almost its 'entire length While the forwardmost rod VIl7'? has a markedly depressed central portion. Each delivery chute has a plurality of longitudinal slide rods 17d rested on and connected to ythe transverse rods which are extended convergently downwardly and forwardly as best seen in Figs. `1 and 3. 'lh'e Vside plates and partition plates 55 'of the 'chassis 31 are provided with openings 175 adapted removably to receive hangers V17S to eri-able positioning fof the delivery chute b'cttle receiving position beneath the compare ments.

A pnrality or" delivery rockers or gates '18d are mounted in the suppe-'rt frame 3i) individually beneath each of the compartments 5'5, 56, 57 and 5S. Each rocker provides a of erect end plates 181 'in parallel spaced relation having horizontal rocker shafts 1182 journaled in the lower 'section di of the lower rear plate 40 and the front ,plate d4 rof the chassis 31 and thereforefare ad- A.4.6 jacent -to the rear and .front plates of Lthe chassis. `A control pin 153 is extended .from each of the end plates adjacent to the lower section of the rear plate through the adjacent arcuate slot -61 in such plate for movement relative thereto.

A pair of velongated transversely angulated bars 18d are extended in parallel spaced relation between the end plates v183 of each rocker ldil in substantially ninety degree spaced relation to their respective rocker shafts E82. in this regard, it is to be noted that the bars are spaced Vfrom each other ardistance greater tha-n the max-imum diameter of the bottles to be vended. A pair of transversely, downwardly concave reversible bottle supporting finger plates R are connected individually to the angulated bars by means of screws 186 extended therethrough. Each of the hnger plates provides a .pair `of opposed longitudinal bottle support edges 1&7 and 188. Each linger plate is designed so that the distance between the bottle lsupport edge 187 and the center of the screws 136 is greater than the distance between the bottle support edge 18S and the center of the screws. Thus, when the bottle support edges 153 are positioned inwardly of the rocker, the 'distance `etween such edges is greater than between edges 187 when the latter are positioned inwardly. Obviously, wider Eor narrower linger plates may be provided, as desired, to contro-l the spacing between the inwardly facing edges thereof when attached to the angulated bars.

lA shaft 19d is journaled in .the upper section 43 of the rear plate si@ of the chassis 31 'intermediate each pair of compartments 55, 57 and "5S, 59, respectively. Eccentric discs 191 are rigidly connected to the shafts for rotation therewith. A pair of levers '192; are provided, each having one end 153 pivotally connected to 4an extended end of one of the control pins 153 and an opposite end providing an eccentric collar 191i Yrotatably tted to one of the eccentric discs 1%. it will be seen that each control pin :L33 has a lever 192 in driving connection thereto which in turn, has driven connection to .an eccentric disc 191 individual thereto. Washers 195 are provided on the shafts 19d between the rear plate 46 and the collars 19d. YDriven gears 196 are rigidly secured to the shafts 19d and snap rings l97 are tted on the shafts 19t) for holding thegears in position.

A substantially horizontal 'shaft 206 Vis journaled in the upper section 43 of the plate d kof the chassis 31 intermediate the shafts i9@ in Ythe central space 60. A drive gear 201 is secured to the shaft 200 and is in mesh with both of the driven `gears 196, as best seen in Fig. 7. A mounting plate 203 is attached in the central space between the innermost partition walls 33. A control shaft 265 is mounted horizontally in the mounting plate for rotation therein in axial alignment with the shaft 200. A clutch control mechanism, generally indicated at 206, is provided for enabling stepped progression driving connection between the 'shaft 265 and the shaft 2de so that rotation of shaft 255 results 'in predetermined angular rotation Vof shaftZtitl. inasmuch as the details of the clutch control mechanism 295 form no part of the present invention, further description thereof is not believed necessary. However, it is to be noted that a suitable clutch control mechanism is described in detail in the lprior copending application of Spencer l.. Childers and Lawrence C. Tobeniiled November .1., 1954, and having Serial .Number 465,779.

The control Vshaft 2% is provided with a collar 236 secured to the shaft by a pin 237 and is in abutment with the mounting plate 2931. A U-shaped receiver plate v 238 is connected to the control shaft by a bolt, not shown, and suitable lockwashers, not shown, are provided on the opposite vsides of the receiver plate for axially positioning the plate. The receiver plate also provides ou'twardly extended arms 241, each of which has a key slot 242 disposed lo'ppos'itely axially from the shaft 205.

yReferring to Figs. 2 and 4, it will be seen that a shaft rposed in the space 24 in the door 19.

Y Initially, the size of the discharge openings 358 and 359 is adjusted to accommodate the bottles 259 250-extends through rtheauxi ary door 25 and is ljournaled in a socket 251 on the innerlinsulated wall 22 and provides an inner end having 'a crank 252 thereon dis- A further shaft 253 extends through the inner wall and provides a crank 254 disposed thereon and positioned in the space 24.

An Velongated link 255 provides opposite ends vpivotally connected to the cranks 252 and 254. Preferably, a

sealed bearing sleeve 256 is provided around the' shaft 253 to maintain adequate insulation and compartment tight integrity of the cabinet 11. A key 257 Vin the form of a pin is tted in the shaft 253 and is extended transversely thereof. The key isadapted for engagement with Vthe keylslots 242 in the receiver plate 238. 'A manipulating lever Y258 is connected to the outer end of the shaft 250 and is disposed in the recess 27 in a position conveniently accessible for operation by the customer.

VA plurality of bottles 259 are stacked in horizontal attitudes and in vertically staggered horizontally overlapping columns in the compartments 56, 577, 58 and 59 between partition Vwalls 33. The bottles in each column are inV vertically staggered relation with the bottles Yin the adjacent column and are Vin underlying supporting relation to their respective bottles next above in the adjacent column. The lowermost bottle in each compartment is rested on one of the bottle supporting Ynger plates 185 and thus the linger' plates along with the partition walls 33 including adjustable side panels 72 and 82 provide support for the stacks of bottles in the respective compart-V ments. Depending von the size of bottle or other article to as having lower outlet or discharge openings defined.

by the space between the adjustable panels, and indicated at 356, 357, 358 and 3V59correspondingY respectively to compartments 56, 57, 58 and.59.Y Y

il Operation t Y The operation of the described embodiment of the invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briey summarized at this point.

or the like being vended. For this purpose, the adjustable side panels 72 and 82 Vare moved inwardly or outwardly relative to their respective compartments so that the dis.

tance between their lower ends is less than twice the Vmaximum diameter of the bottles.A In this position the latch bolts 95 Vare inserted through the proper latch openings 75, 84 and 90 of the latch plates 73, 82, and 89 and through the respective latch openings 67 in channels 65. The retainer plates 96 and'100 are securedin positionl by threaded retainer'bolts 97 and 101 to prevent removal of the latch bolts from their respective latch openings. Y

Next, the adjustable rear walls 115 are moved longitu- Vdinallyof thecornpartments 56, 57, 58 and.59r,-re`spec tively, to'accommodate the length of the bottles 259 being vended. In this regard, rit is totbe noted that the upper and lower tabs 116 and 1.17 tincorrespondingly aligned notches S and `110 in the partition Walls 33. The arrangement of the compartments as described is best shown in Figs. Y2 and 3 wherein it is to be notedY that the ad- Y justable side panels .7 2 and 82 vand the adjustable'rear walls are positioned soas taccommodatepbottles having dimensions less than the maximum which the machine will hold. f -A l 'Y Y The vending machine "'10 is.V then loaded with bottles 259, as partially shown in'Fig. 1 and the door 19 and auxiliary door 25 closed and locked in closed position. When it is desired to obtain one of the bottles, a coin, or coins, of suitable denomination lis inserted in a coin (slot, not shown, for deposit into the coin mechanism 28. The receipt thereof releases Ythe shaft 253 in a wellknown manner and enables the depressing of the manipulating lever 258. When the lever is depressed the Ycontrol shaft 205 is rotated through the key 257 turning'the re-v ceiver plate 238. Y Rotation of the control shaft turnstthe shaft 200'throughthe clutch mechanism 206 thereby'rof tatingV the driven gears 196 through'the drive gear.201. This causes rotation of the driven gears and imparts rotational movement to the Veccentric discs 191.

predetermined angle as controlled bythe clutch mechanism 206, fully described in the prior co-pending application, cited above. Thus, a single depression of the manipulating lever 258 is effective to discharge a bottle from one of the compartments 56, 57, 58 and 59 into one of the delivery chutes 170 and the customer then releases the manipulating lever for yreturnV to its upper pense only one bottle during each operational movement of the lever 25,8, the driven connections of the rockersl to the gearr201` through the pins 183, levers 192, eccen-A tric discs 1v91, and gears 196 are such that the rockers are separated as to their attitudes or positions by onequarter of their complete operating cycle. Thus when one rocker is delivering a bottle, the next to deliver is one-quarter of its cycle from deliveryrposition, the fol-` lowing rocker one-half of its cycle from delivery position and the succeeding rocker three-quarters of its cycle from delivery position. It will be obvious that any desired number of compartments may be utilized and the vend' ing mechanism modied accordingly.

Considering the specific operation of the bottle dis-` pensing cradlesr180 by reference to Fig. 3, it' is assumed that the manipulating lever 258 has just been depressed` and that a bottle 259 is about to move from the compartment 56 into the associated rocker 180. It will be noted that the rocker of compartment 56 has been rocked in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed, suiciently that Vthe inwardly facing, longitudinal bottle supporting edge 187 of the nger plate 185 at the right of the cornpartment has moved'upwardly into supporting engagement with therlowermo'st bottle'of the right column in the compartment while the bottle supporting edge 187 on the nger plate at the left has been retracted downwardly and to the left from its bottle supporting position so that the lowermost bottle of the left column is released to roll between the fingerV supporting edges 187 and to descend endwardly into the delivery chute therebelow.V The second bottle in the left column is dependably supported in wedging Yengagement between the left adjustable side 72 adjacent thereto and the lowermost bottle in the right column, the latterY being held in proper supported posi- Y tion on the right linger plate by the right adjustable panel 72 adjacent thereto. In this regard, it is to be noted that the .right inger plate has passed to the left of vertical alignment with the center of the right Vlowermost bottle.

AIn such position, the lowermost bottle is dependably held by gravitation in position between its adjacent adjustable panel'and the finger plate. Y

A bottle 259 is discharged from only one of the delivery openings 256, 257, 258 and 259 during afcycle of operi. L

Asthe discs rotate, they actuate the levers 192 to oscillate the rockers by movement of the pins 183. Rotation of the control Yshaft 205 is permitted only through `a tion motivated by depressing the lever 258. Thus, as the lowermost bottle from the left column of compartment 56 is dispensed, las above described, the lowermost bottles in the left or right columns of compartments 56, 57, 58 and 59 are 'supported Vby the lright finger plates 185 previously moved upwardly and inwardly thereunder.

During the next and succeeding operating cycles, the rockers 180 associated with compartments 57, 58, and 59 each move, in turn, Yto positions so as to dispense the lowermost bottle 259 in the right column ofthe respective compartments. Simultaneously, the left linger plates 185 of the particular rocker move upwardly and inwardly to support the lowermost lbottle of the left column in the compartment which -descends thereagainst.

It will be remembered that the foregoing description has assumed that adjustable side panels 72 and 82 are xed at inwardly convergent positions on opposite sides of their respective compartments 56, 57, 58 and 59, as seen in Fig. 3. However, assuming that the bottles 259 employed are of-a smaller or larger size the outlet openings must be readjusted, as required.

Therefore, the retainer `plates 96 and 109 are removed by unthreading Vof the bolts 97, 101 from the threaded holes 66. This enables ready removal of the latch bolts 95 from the latch openings 75, 84 and 90 in the latch plates 73, 83 and 89 from the latch openings 67 in the spacer channels 65. The side panels are then pivoted inwardly or outwardly, as desired, relative to the respective compartments so that the distance between the side panels on each side of their respective compartments is less than twice the maximum diameter of the bottles 259 to be vended. When ythis position is located, the latch bolts are .reinserted through the proper latch openings in the Vlatch plates and spacer channels and the retainer plates fitted over the latch plates and the Vretainer bolts threaded in place. j

in addition, the adjustable rear walls .115 may be adjusted in position forwardly or rearwardly of the compartments 56, 57, 58 and 59, as before. It is important that the length of the compartments, that is, the front to back dimension, be adjusted properly to fit the bottles 259. With such adjustments, the flanges 119 of the guide channels `118 always bear against the necks of the bottles and maintain them in proper longitudinal attitude in their compartments. This insures proper stacking of the bott-les between the plates 72 and =82 in pairs of vertically staggered, overlapped columns.

At this time, it may be necessary to reverse the position of the bottle supporting finger plates 185 on the cradles ld in Vorder to narrow or widen the spacing between the inner longitudinal edges 187 or ISS of the linger plates so as to permit passage of narrower or wider bottles 257 therethrough.

After these adjustments are made, the machine may be loaded with bottles 259 of the proper size, the door 19 and auxiliary door '25 closed and locked in position whereby the machine is ready for customer operation in the same manner as described above.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the principles of the present invention provide for a magazine capable of handling bottles and other articles of a variety of substantially uniform sizes and shapes. The economy and etiiciency which the machine permits is of great signitcance in the vending machine industry. In general, tln's has been accomplished by providing for the adjustment of the length and width of the magazines or compartments holding the bottles and in the adjustment of the cradles or gates utilized for controlling the discharge of the bottles.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of l0 the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices :and apparatus.

Having `described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patents is:

l.. A magazine for elongated reliable articles of substantially uniform size and shape comprising substantially erect walls for confining the articles in a stack therebetween with the articles vhorizontally disposed and in vertically Voverlapping relation, said walls defining a down'- wardly disposed opening, a pair of panel members connested to said walls on opposite sides of the opening and downwardly convergently extended therefrom, 'the panel members having lower ends de'ning a discharge opening therebetween and upwardly adjacent to said opening being spaced a distance less Vthan twice the maximum transverse dimensions. of the articles and more than said transverse dimensions whereby the articles are supported vadjacent to the discharge opening .in two substantially erect downwardly convergent stacks of alternately 'overlapping articles, a pair of substantially parallel bars individual to the columns positioned beneath their respective columns, movable means interconnecting the bars in fixed spaced relation sufcient for the passage of articles to be vended therebetween, and control .means connected to the movable means for oscillating the movable means and carrying the bars alternately and oppositely between positions in supporting relation to their respective columns and positions laterally retracted therefrom for tie passage of articles therebetween.

2. A Vmagazine for elongated articles a variety of substantially uniform sizes and shapes comprising means for conning the articles ina stack with the articles substantially horizontally disposed and .in vertically overlapping relation, said means having a downwardly disposed opening, a pair lof panel members individually pivotally mounted on said means on opposite sides of the opening and downwardly convergently extended therefrom, the lpanel members having .lower ends defining a discharge opening therebetween, adjustable means for holding the panel members with the lower ends thereof in adjusted spaced relation whereby the panel members adjacent to the discharge opening are spaceable a distance less than twice the maximum transverse dimensions of articles to be accommodated and more than said maximum transverse dimensions whereby the articles are supported adjacent to the discharge opening in t'w'o substantially erect downwardly convergent stacks of alternately overlapping articles, a pair of substantially parallel bars individual to the columns positioned beneath the columns, movable means Vinterconnecting the bars in fixed spaced relation sufficient for Vthe passage of articles to be vended therebetween, and control means connected to the movable means operable to oscillate the movable means and reciprocate the :bars alternately and oppositely between positions in supporting relation to their respective columns and positions retracted therefrom.

3. A vending machine comprising a cabinet, upright support means mounted in horizontal spaced relation in the cabinet defining a compratment therebetween having a lower discharge opening and adapted to confine a plurality of substantially uniform vendible articles in a stack therebetween, the articles being in vertically staggered overlapping relation, the support means being adjustably downwardly convergent adjacent to the discharge opening, releasable means engageable with the adjustably downwardly convergent portions of the support means to retain the same in adjusted position to confine articles therebetween in a pair of downwardly convergent columns, the articles of the separate columns being in vertically staggered overlapping relation and the articles of each column supporting the next adjacent higher articles of the opposite column, substantially horizontally disposed parallel support means mounted in horizontal spaced relation beneath the discharge opening of the compartment adapted alternately to support the Y 11 Y- Y stacks of articles inthe compartment and to pass individualarticles of the alternate'stacks therebetween, Vand means for oscillating Vthe'support'means*alternately and,

oppositely between positions in supporting relation to their respective columns and positions retracted therefrom.

4.'A vending machine comprising a cabinet, upright support means mounted in horizontal spaced relation in the cabinet defining a compartment therebetween having forward and rearward sides and a lower discharge openingand adapted laterally-to confine a'plurality of articles having substantially uniform lengths and widths in vertically stacked overlapping relation therein, the support means having lower end portions adjustably downwardly convergentV on opposite sides of y'the discharge opening, releasable means constraining the lower end portions of the support:V means' in adjusted convergent relation to accommodate predetermined widths the articles to be `vended therebetween; and control means connected to the movablemeans for oscillatingthe movable meansand Vcarrying theQb'a1-'s'-` alternately and oppositelyVV between'` positionsi Asupporting" rlationto; their respective columns and positions llaterally retracted-therefrom' permitting" passage of lowerrnost!'articlesfbetween the bars. i i

6.! A vending Vmachine comprisingaf cabinet'having i a compartment'therein; a magazine mounted inthe compartment having a pairY of upwardly extended walls for conlining therebetween a plurality ofY substantially uniform articlestoV be Vvended with the 'articles 'horizontally V'disposed between thei'wallsi'the walls being; spaced a distance'gre ater than theV maximum transverse dimensions of the individual articles; a -painoffpanels pivotally opening, means-for `releasably 'securing the panels in of Vsuch containers with the articles in a pair of down- 'Y e wardly convergent interlocked columns, the Varticles of the separate columns being'in vertically staggered overlapping relation and the articles of each convergent column supporting the next Yadjacent higher articles of Y the opposite column, a pair of substantially parallel bars individual to the convergent columns positioned beneath the columns, movable means interconnecting the bars in lixed spaced relation sulicient for the passage of articles to be vendedY therebetween, and control means connected to the movable means operable to oscillate the movable means and reciprocate the bars alternately and oppositely between positions in supporting relation `to their respective columns Vand positions retracted'therefrom. Y

5. A vending machine comprising a cabinet having,

'Y a compartment therein; a magazine mounted in the compartment having a pair of upwardlyV extended walls for confining therebetween a plurality of substantially uni- Y form articles to be vended with the articles horizontally disposed between the walls, the walls being spaced a distance greater Ythan the maximum transverse dimensions of the individual articles; a pair of panels mounted on the walls and downwardly Vconvergent therefrom having lower edges deiining a discharge opening therebetween, the panels being spaced a distance greater than theV downwardly convergent relation spaced a distance" greater than the maximum transverse dimensions fof Vthe articles stacked between the wallsand less than twice said maxitransv'ers'e'dimensions whereby the 'p'anels confine therebetween arpair of` downwardly convergent columns of 4- articleshthe' articles `ofthe 'separate columns Vbeing in'V vertically staggered overlapping relation and the articles of each' c'olumn-supportingV the next adjacent higher article of the opposite column; a pair of substantially parallel bars individual tothe columns positioned beneath of the'particleksV to be vended therebetween; and control means connectedV to the movable ,means` for oscillating the movable means' and carrying the bars ,alternately and oppositely between positions in supporting relation to their respective-columns and positionsY laterallyfretracted Vtherefrom permitting passage of Vlowermost articles between the, bars.

i p ReferencesV Cited in the le of this patent p vUNITED STATES rAfri-:isITsV Y 1,241,188 1 Blakemore a Sept.,25, 1917 1,395,941 Beattie w p Not/.1,1921 V1,969,170 Erickson i Aug. 7, 1931 2,311,632 Berger et al. Feb. 23', 1943 2,369,882 Brock Feb, 20, 1945 Y 2,511,099 Case June 13,1950 2,549,081 Y1951 2,585,011 Y1952 v2,615,773 Holt et a1. Y 2- Y V Y Y oct. 28,1952

' A FOREIGN PATENTS Y 338,354 Y Great Br,itain Nov, 20,1930V 747,7 Germany ---a Oct. 16, 1944 

